The fern economics spectrum is unaffected by the environment

The plant economics spectrum describes the trade-off between plant resource acquisition and storage, and sheds light on plant responses to environmental changes. However, the data used to construct the plant economics spectrum comes mainly from seed plants, thereby neglecting vascular non-seed plant lineages such as the ferns. To address this omission, we evaluated whether a fern economics spectrum exists using leaf and root traits of 23 fern species living under three subtropical forest conditions differing in light intensity and nutrient gradients. The fern leaf and root traits were found to be highly correlated and formed a plant economics spectrum. Specific leaf mass and root tissue density were found to be on one side of the spectrum (conservative strategy), whereas photosynthesis rate, specific root area, and specific root length were on the other side of the spectrum (acquisitive strategy). Ferns had higher photosynthesis and respiration rates, and photosynthetic nitrogen-use efficiency under high light conditions and higher specific root area and lower root tissue density in high nutrient environments. However, environmental changes did not significantly affect their resource acquisition strategies. Thus, the plant economics spectrum can be broadened to include ferns, which expands its phylogenetic and ecological implications and utility.

Quantum-inspired multicore optical fiber

We introduce a new, to the best of our knowledge, type of multicore optical fiber having a quantum-inspired network topology and unique spectral features. Particularly, the connectivity between the cores is generated by unfolding a circular array of coupled quantum oscillators in Fock space. We show that in such a fiber geometry, the eigenvalues of the optical supermodes exhibit partial degeneracy and form a ladder. In turn, this leads to revival dynamics, allowing for a periodic re-imaging of the input intensity. As an example, we present a realistic design with six cores in silica glass platforms.

The Effects of Dual-Task Training on Cognitive and Physical Functions in Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment; A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Individuals with Alzheimer disease and dementia experience cognitive decline and reduction in physical capabilities. Engaging in cognitive challenges and physical exercises is effective in reducing age-related cognitive and physical decline. It is believed that physical activity in the context of cognitive challenges might enhance the process of neurogenesis in the adult brain, but how effective are such interventions? Is there enough evidence to support that dual-task training is more effective than cognitive or physical training alone? To what extent can such training improve cognitive and physical functions in patients at various stages of cognitive decline?

METHODOLOGY

This systematic review with meta-analysis summarizes the emerging evidence of dual-task training for enhancing cognitive and physical functions in older individuals with cognitive impairment, dementia or Alzheimer's disease. A systematic search was carried out in MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library with the following search terms: randomized control trials, dual-task training, SCD, MCI, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease.

RESULTS

A total of 21 studies with 2,221 participants were identified. The results of dual-task tanning intervention are summarized as change in global cognitive function; SMD = 0.24, (P= 0.002), memory; SMD = 0.28, (P = 0.000), executive function; SMD = 0.35, (P = 0.000), attention; SMD = -0.19, (P = 0.1), gait speed; SMD = 0.26, (P = 0.007), dual-task cost; SMD 0.56, (P = 0.000), and balance; SMD 0.36, (P = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

Primary analysis showed a small-to-medium positive effect of dual-task training interventions on cognitive functions and medium-to-large positive effect on gait functions and balance.

[Effects of mesenchymal stem cells on primary culture and secretion function of parathyroid cells in vitro]

Objective: To investigate the effects of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) on proliferation and hormone secretion of parathyroid cells in votro. Methods: The parathyroid cells and ADMSCs were obtained from 10 SD rats by cell separation and culture. The phenotype of P3 generation for ADMSCs was detected by flow cytometry. The co-culture of parathyroid cells and ADMSCs was conducted in the ratios of 2∶1, 1∶1, 1∶2 and 1∶5, respectively. The level of parathyroid hormone in cell supernatant was determined. The results were compared with the parathyroid hormone in the supernatant of parathyroid cells cultured separately in the corresponding number. The effects of ADMSCs on the hormone secretion of parathyroid cells were evaluated. SPSS 11.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: The primary culture of either parathyroid cells or ADMSCs and the co-culture of these cells in vitro were performed successfully, and the in vitro culture of different proportions of the two cells showed different effects on parathyroid hormone secretion. The co-culture of parathyroid cells and ADMSCs, especially in the ratio of 1∶5, facilitated the secretion of parathyroid hormone ((1.3±0.0) vs. (0.8±0.1), (1.3±0.0) vs. (0.9±0.0), (1.7±0.5) vs. (0.9±0.0), (1.7±0.0) vs. (1.2±0.2))ng/L with t value of 25.46, 64.30, 3.32, 7.16, P<0.05 on the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th days respectively. Secondly, when the ratio was 1∶2, the PTH level showed an upward trend. Conclusion: Parathyroid cells and ADMSCs can be co-cultured in vitro, facilitating the secretion of parathyroid hormone under the appropriate cell proportion such as the ratio of by parathyroid cells to ADMSCs at 1∶5.

Thermal Acclimation of Foliar Carbon Metabolism in Pinus taiwanensis Along an Elevational Gradient

Climate change could negatively alter plant ecosystems if rising temperatures exceed optimal conditions for obtaining carbon. The acclimation of plants to higher temperatures could mitigate this effect, but the potential of subtropical forests to acclimate still requires elucidation. We used space-for-time substitution to determine the photosynthetic and respiratory-temperature response curves, optimal temperature of photosynthesis (T opt), photosynthetic rate at T opt, temperature sensitivity (Q 10), and the rate of respiration at a standard temperature of 25°C (R 25) for Pinus taiwanensis at five elevations (1200, 1400, 1600, 1800, and 2000 m) in two seasons (summer and winter) in the Wuyi Mountains in China. The response of photosynthesis in P. taiwanensis leaves to temperature at the five elevations followed parabolic curves, and the response of respiration to temperature increased with temperature. T opt was higher in summer than winter at each elevation and decreased significantly with increasing elevation. Q 10 decreased significantly with increasing elevation in summer but not winter. These results showed a strong thermal acclimation of foliar photosynthesis and respiration to current temperatures across elevations and seasons, and that R 25 increased significantly with elevation and were higher in winter than summer at each elevation indicating that the global warming can decrease R 25. These results strongly suggest that this thermal acclimation will likely occur in the coming decades under climate change, so the increase in respiration rates of P. taiwanensis in response to climatic warming may be smaller than predicted and thus may not increase atmospheric CO2 concentrations.

[A new classification of maxillary defect and simultaneous accurate reconstruction]

Objective: To select the preferred flaps for the reconstruction of different maxillary defects and to propose a new classification of maxillary defects. Methods: A total of 219 patients (136 males and 83 females) underwent the simultaneous reconstruction of maxillary defects in the Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, between January 2005 and December 2018 were reviewed. Age ranged from 16 to 78 years. Based on the proposed new classification of the maxillary defects, 22 patients with class Ⅰ defects (inferior maxillectomy), 44 patients with class Ⅱ defects (supperior maxillectomy), 132 patients with class Ⅲ defects (total maxillectomy) and 21 patients with class Ⅳ defects (extensive maxillectomy) were enrolled. Survival rate, functional and aesthetic outcomes of flaps were evaluated. Survival analysis was performed in 169 patients with malignant tumor, Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival rate, and Log-rank method was used to compare the difference of survival rate in each group. Results: A total of 234 repairs for maxillary defects were performed in 219 patients. Fibula flaps were used in 4/13 of class Ⅰ defects; temporal muscle flaps (11/24, 45.8%) and anterolateral thigh flaps (6/24, 25.0%) used in class Ⅱ defects; temporal muscle flaps (71/128, 55.5%), anterolateral thigh flaps (6/24, 25.0%) and fibula flaps (12/128, 9.4%) used in class Ⅲ defects; and anterolateral thigh flaps (8/20, 40.0%) and rectus abdominis flaps (8/20, 40.0%) used in class Ⅳ defects. The success rate of local pedicled flaps was 95.6% (109/114) and that of free flaps was 95.8% (115/120). Thrombosis(10/234,4.3%) was a main reason for repair failure. Among the followed-up 88 patients, swallowing and speech functions recovered, 82 (93.2%) of them were satisfied with appearance, and 75 (85.2%) were satisfied with visual field. The 3-year and 5-year overall survival rates were 66.5% and 63.6%, and the 3-year and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 57.1% and 46.2%, respectively, in the 169 patients with malignant tumors. Conclusion: A new classification of maxillary defects is proposed, on which suitable flaps are selected to offer patients good functional and aesthetic outcomes and high quality of life.

Chromosome-scale assembly and population diversity analyses provide insights into the evolution of Sapindus mukorossi

Sapindus mukorossi is an environmentally friendly plant and renewable energy source whose fruit has been widely used for biomedicine, biodiesel, and biological chemicals due to its richness in saponin and oil contents. Here, we report the first chromosome-scale genome assembly of S. mukorossi (covering ~391 Mb with a scaffold N50 of 24.66 Mb) and characterize its genetic architecture and evolution by resequencing 104 S. mukorossi accessions. Population genetic analyses showed that genetic diversity in the southwestern distribution area was relatively higher than that in the northeastern distribution area. Gene flow events indicated that southwest species may be the donor population for the distribution areas in China. Genome-wide selective sweep analysis showed that a large number of genes are involved in defense responses, growth and development, including SmRPS2, SmRPS4, SmRPS7, SmNAC2, SmNAC23, SmNAC102, SmWRKY6, SmWRKY26, and SmWRKY33. We also identified several candidate genes controlling six agronomic traits by genome-wide association studies, including SmPCBP2, SmbHLH1, SmCSLD1, SmPP2C, SmLRR-RKs, and SmAHP. Our study not only provides a rich genomic resource for further basic research on Sapindaceae woody trees but also identifies several economically significant genes for genomics-enabled improvements in molecular breeding.

Monitoring Methods of Marine Pollution Range Based on Big Data Technology

With the development of big data technology, traditional monitoring methods for the scope of marine pollution can no longer meet the current needs of accuracy and timeliness. In light of the outstanding topic, this study proposed to use big data technology to monitor the scope of marine pollution. The intelligent digital remote sensing technology was used for multi-dimensional monitoring of ocean water quality and completed the calculation of data collected by water quality sensors through the improved big data comparative analysis method. Finally, the scope of pollution monitoring was realized. The results verified that the proposed monitoring method could achieve high-precision and time-sensitive monitoring of the range of marine pollutants, and could identify the basic information of pollutants.

Belantamab mafodotin for the treatment of multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematologic malignancy worldwide. Despite the growing number of available therapeutic options and advances in the treatment since the 2000s, relapse of multiple myeloma is inevitable. Currently, the main therapeutic agents for multiple myeloma treatment include proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs, monoclonal antibodies and others. Patients who relapse or are refractory to the above-mentioned treatments have poor prognosis. B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) is a cell-surface receptor which is expressed on the membrane of multiple myeloma cells, but absent on naive and memory B cells, making it an ideal target for multiple myeloma treatment. Belantamab mafodotin (GSK-2857916) is a first-in-class BCMA antibody-drug conjugate with an overall response rate of 32% in the phase II clinical trial DREAMM-2, which is a phase II study designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of belantamab mafodotin in relapsed/refractory patients with multiple myeloma. In August 2020, based on the results of this pivotal DREAMM-2 study, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved belantamab mafodotin as a monotherapy for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Thereafter, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) also approved this indication. Although belantamab mafodotin has demonstrated single-agent activity in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, further studies to evaluate its efficacy and its combinational use with other drugs are necessary and ongoing.

[Clinical comparative study of free posterior tibial artery perforator flap and radial forearm free flap for head and neck reconstruction]

Objective: To compare the clinical application results of the FPTF (free posterior tibial artery perforator flap) and RFFF (radial forearm free flap) for reconstruction of head and neck defects. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 27 cases treated with FPTF (19 males and 8 females, aged 14-69 years) and 24 cases with RFFF (11 males and 13 females, aged 22-69 years) for head and neck defect reconstruction at Beijing Tongren Hospital of Capital Medical University from January 2015 to December 2020 was conducted. Flap size, vascular pedicle length, matching degree of recipient area blood vessels, preparation time, total operation time, hospital stay, recipient area complications, donor area complications and scale-based patient satisfaction were compared between two groups of patients with FTPF and RFFF. SPSS 26.0 statistical software was used for statistical analysis. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups of patients in tumor T staging (P=0.38), primary sites (P=0.05) and mean flap areas ((53.67±29.84) cm² vs. (41.13±11.08) cm², t=-1.472, P=0.14). However the mean vascular pedicle length of FPTF was more than that of RFFF ((11.15±2.48)cm vs. (8.50±1.69)cm, t=-4.071, P<0.01). The donor sites of 4 patients in FPTF group could be sutured directly, while all the 24 patients in RFFF group received skin grafts from the donor sites. There was no statistically significant difference in the recipient area arteries between two groups of flaps (P=0.10), with more commonly using of the facial artery (RFFF: FPTF=21∶27), but there was significant difference in the recipient area veins (P<0.01), with more commonly using of the external jugular vein in RFFF (14/24) than FPTF (4/32) and the posterior facial vein in FPTF (27/32) than RFFF (9/24). There were 10 recipient complications and 3 donor complications in RFFF group; no recipient complication and 3 donor complications occurred in FPTF group. With patient's subjective evaluation of the donor site at 12 months after surgery, FPTF was better than RFFF (χ²=22.241, P<0.01). Conclusions: FPTF is an alternative to RFFF in head and neck reconstruction and has unique advantages in aesthetics and clinical application.

Anti-biofilm potential of kefir-derived Lactobacillus paracasei L10 against Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a kind of biofilm-forming foodborne bacterium, presents formidable challenges to the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents. Increasingly, the safety of chemical antimicrobials has aroused the widespread attention of the public. The development of the novel nature antimicrobial agents has become critical for controlling biofilm-related pollution and infections. In this paper, we investigated the antibacterial activity of Lactobacillus paracasei L10, and evaluated the inhibition and eradication effects of the cell-free supernatant (CFS) of the strain on V. parahaemolyticus biofilms in detail. We found that the CFS exhibited marked antibacterial activity against all tested pathogenic bacteria. In co-cultural assay, L. paracasei L10 could notably reduce cell viability in both plankton and biofilm of V. parahaemolyticus and this antagonism effect in biofilm was greater than that in planktonic state. Meanwhile, the growth of V. parahaemolyticus was completely inhibited when 6% (v/v) of the CFS was added, and the supernatant also showed a concentration-dependent manner to inhibit and eradicate the biofilms of V. parahaemolyticus while decreased the metabolic activity of the biofilm in the same way. Moreover, the fluorescence microscopic and confocal laser scanning microscopy images confirmed the anti-biofilm activity of the CFS. This study elucidates that L. paracasei L10 displays a significant anti-biofilm effect on V. parahaemolyticus and the mechanism of its antagonism merits further study, which provides theoretical support for further development and application of L. paracasei L10 as anti-biofilm agents.

[Retrospective study of thyroid invasion and central lymph node metastasis in 124 patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of thyroid invasion and central lymph node metastasis of hypopharyngeal carcinoma, and the impact on survival rate and quality of life. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 124 cases (122 males and 2 females with age range from 36 to 78 years old) with laryngopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma who were initially treated in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from January 2014 to December 2017 was performed. The clinical data included tumor location, pathological T stage, pathological N stage, invasion of thyroid gland, central lymph node metastasis, surgical procedures and so on. Patients were grouped according to if presence of thyroid invasion and central lymph node metastasis. With follow-up, the survival was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method, and tumor recurrence and metastasis were evaluated. Results: Of the patients, 12 patients had thyroid involvement and 5 patients had central lymph node metastasis. The incidence of thyroid involvement was 8.16% (8/98) in pyriform sinus, 1/18 in posterior pharyngeal wall and 3/8 in posterior cricoid wall, with statistically significant difference (χ²=15.076,P=0.008). The incidence of central lymph node metastasis was 1.02% (1/98) in pyriform sinus, 3/18 in posterior pharyngeal wall and 1/8 in posterior cricoid wall, also with statistically significant difference (χ²=11.205, P=0.008). There was no statistical correlation between thyroid invasion or central lymph node metastasis and gender, smoking or alcohol exposure history and tumor pathological differentiation (all P>0.05). The 3-year overall survival rate was 80.65% and the 3-year recurrence free rate was 85.48%. Totally 24 patients died in 3 years, including 4 cases in thyroid invasion group and 1 case in central lymph node metastasis group. Local recurrence occurred in 18 patients, including 4 cases in thyroid invasion group and 1 case in central lymph node metastasis group. There was no significant difference in survival between patients with and without thyroid invasion and central lymph node metastasis (all P>0.05). There were significantly difference in 3-year overall survival and relapse-free survival among the groups with different T stages, N stages, pathological stages and tumor pathological differentiation levels (all P<0.05). There were significantly differences in the levels of serum calcium and FT3 between the groups with or without thyroid invasion and central lymph node metastasis (all P<0.05). Conclusion: The incidences of thyroid invasion and central lymph node metastasis of hypopharyngeal carcinoma are rare, and the risk of occurrence is related to the primary site of tumor. Comprehensive evaluation, correct decision-making and accurate treatment could be helpful to cure radically the tumor, to prevent recurrence and to improve the quality of life of patients.

Tunable stiffness enables fast and efficient swimming in fish-like robots

Fish maintain high swimming efficiencies over a wide range of speeds. A key to this achievement is their flexibility, yet even flexible robotic fish trail real fish in terms of performance. Here, we explore how fish leverage tunable flexibility by using their muscles to modulate the stiffness of their tails to achieve efficient swimming. We derived a model that explains how and why tuning stiffness affects performance. We show that to maximize efficiency, muscle tension should scale with swimming speed squared, offering a simple tuning strategy for fish-like robots. Tuning stiffness can double swimming efficiency at tuna-like frequencies and speeds (0 to 6 hertz; 0 to 2 body lengths per second). Energy savings increase with frequency, suggesting that high-frequency fish-like robots have the most to gain from tuning stiffness.

Leaf Structural Traits Vary With Plant Size in Even-Aged Stands of Sapindus mukorossi

Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn., an important oleaginous woody plant, has garnered increasing research attention owing to its potential as a source of renewable energy (biodiesel). Leaf structural traits are closely related to plant size, and they affect the fruit yield and oil quality. However, plant size factors that predominantly contribute to leaf structural traits remain unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand the associations between leaf structural traits and plant size factors in even-aged stands of S. mukorossi. Results showed that leaf length (LL) and leaf area (LA) markedly increased with the increasing diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree height (TH), although other leaf structural traits did not show noticeable changes. Difference in slopes also indicated that the degree of effect of plant size factors on leaf structural traits was in the order of TH > DBH. Leaf structural traits showed no systematic variation with crown width (CW). LA was significantly positively correlated with LL, leaf width (LW), LL/LW, and leaf thickness (LT) and was significantly but negatively correlated with leaf tissue density (LTD) and leaf dry mass content (LDMC). Specific leaf area showed a significantly negative correlation with LT, LDMC, and LTD. LTD showed a significantly positive correlation with LDMC, but a negative correlation with LT. The results were critical to understand the variability of leaf structural traits with plant size, can provide a theoretical foundation for further study in the relationship between leaf structural traits and fruit yield, and regulate leaf traits through artificial management measures to promote plant growth and fruit yield.

[Application of deep convolutional neural networks in the diagnosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma based on narrow band imaging endoscopy]

Objective: To explore the possibility of using artificial intelligence (AI) technology based on convolutional neural network (CNN) to assist the clinical diagnosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) through deep learning algorithm. Methods: A deep CNN was developed and applied in narrow band imaging (NBI) endoscopy of 4 799 patients with laryngeal lesions, including 3 168 males and 1 631 females, aged from 21 to 87 years, from 2015 to 2017 in Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University. A simple randomization method was used to select the laryngeal NBI images of 2 427 patients (1 388 benign lesions and 1 039 LSCC lesions) for the training and correction the CNN model. The remaining laryngeal NBI images of 2 372 patients (including 1 276 benign lesions and 1 096 LSCC lesions) were used as validation data set to compare performance between CNN and otolaryngologists. SPSS 21.0 software was used for Chi-square test to calculate the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of AI and otolaryngologists. The area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic ability of the algorithm for NBI images. Results: The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity for NBI predictions were respectively 90.91% (AUC=0.96), 90.12% and 91.53%, which were equivalent to those for otolaryngologists' predictions (accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were (91.93±3.20)%, (91.33±3.25)% and (93.02±2.59)%, t values were 0.64, 0.75 and 1.17, and P values were 0.32, 0.28 and 0.21, respectively). The diagnostic efficiency of CNN was significantly higher than that of otolaryngologists (0.01 vs. 5.50, t =9.15, P<0.001). Conclusion: AI based on deep CNN is effective for using in the laryngeal NBI image diagnosis, showing a good application prospect in the diagnosis of LSCC.

Prediction of photosynthetic light-response curves using traits of the leaf economics spectrum for 75 woody species: effects of leaf habit and sun-shade dichotomy

PREMISE

Photosynthetic light-response (PLR) curves for leaves are important components of models related to carbon fixation in forest ecosystems, linking the Mitscherlich equation and Michaelis-Menten equation to traits of the leaf economics spectrum (LES). However, models do not consider changes in leaf habits (i.e., evergreen and deciduous) and within-canopy shading variation in these PLR curves.

METHODS

Here, we measured the PLR curves in sun and shade leaves of 44 evergreen and 31 deciduous species to examine the relationships between variables of the Mitscherlich equation and Michaelis-Menten equation, leaf nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) content, and leaf mass per area (LMA).

RESULTS

Small changes were caused by different leaf habits and shade variations in relationships linking variables of the two equations to leaf N and P content and LMA. Values of the scaling exponents for PLR curve parameters did not differ regardless of canopy position and leaf habit (P > 0.05). The PLR curves in species with different leaf habits (i.e., evergreen and deciduous) at different canopy positions could be predicted using the general allometric relations between leaf traits and PLR parameters in the two equations. For photosynthetic photon flux densities from 0 to 2000 μmol m^-2 s^-1 , approximately 71% (Mitscherlich equation) and 70% (Michaelis-Menten equation) of the net assimilation rates could be predicted.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that leaf net assimilation rates can be predicted through the large available data for LES traits. Incorporation of values for these traits available in the LES databases into ecosystem models of forest productivity and carbon fixation warrants further investigation.

[A single-arm prospective study on induction chemotherapy and subsequent comprehensive therapy for advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: report of 260 cases in a single center]

Objective: To study the significance of induction chemotherapy and subsequent comprehensive therapy for overall survival rate (OS) and larynx dysfunction-free survival rate (LDFS) in patients with advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods: Patients who met the inclusion criteria with the diagnoses of advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma between 2011 and 2017 received 2 or 3 cycles of TPF regimen induction chemotherapy. Patients who attained complete response (CR) received radical chemotherapy. Patients who attained partial response (PR) and the reduction of tumor volume was more than 70% were defined as large PR and received concurrent chemoradiotherapy. When the tumor volume reduction of PR patients was less than 70%, they were defined as small PR. (CR+large PR) group was defined as effective group. Patients who did not reach CR and large PR were defined as uneffective group and underwent radical surgery and received adjuvant radiotherapy as appropriate after the surgery. The end points of the study were OS, progression-free survival (PFS) and LDFS. Chi-square (χ(2)) test was used for correlation analysis. Survival analysis was performed by the Kaplan-Meier method with a Log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards model was used for univariate and multivariate survival analysis. Results: A total of 260 patients were enrolled in the study. The follow-up period ranged from 5 to 83 months, with an average of 24.7 months. The 3-year and 5-year OS rate was 46.0% and 32.6%, respectively. The 3-year and 5-year PFS rate was 41.0% and 26.6%, respectively. The 3-year and 5-year LDFS rate was 37.9% and 24.8%, respectively. Poor outcome of induction chemotherapy, advanced N stage, strong positive Ki-67 immunohistochemistry (all P<0.001) were negative prognostic factors. The advanced clinical stage was positively related to the poor outcome of induction chemotherapy (P=0.015). There was no significant difference in OS and PFS between the large PR group and the small PR group (all P>0.005). Conclusion: TPF regimen induction chemotherapy and subsequent comprehensive therapy for patients with advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma may improve the quality of life of patients, with high OS rate and LDFS rate.

Role of miR-579-3p in the development of squamous cell lung carcinoma and the regulatory mechanisms

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the role of microRNA-579-3p (miR-579-3p) in the development of squamous cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). Our findings might provide new insights into the treatment of SCLC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to examine the expression level of miR-579-3p in 30 pairs of CRC tissues and para-cancerous tissues. The relation between miR-579-3p expression and clinical features of SCLC patients was analyzed. MiR-579-3p expression in SCLC cells was further verified by qRT-PCR as well. In addition, the effects of miR-579-3p on the migration and invasion of SK-MES-1 cells were examined through the transwell assay.

RESULTS

QRT-PCR results revealed for the first time that miR-579-3p was significantly down-regulated in SCLC tissues. This indicated that miR-579-3p was possibly involved in the development of SCLC. According to bioinformatics prediction websites and the luciferase activity assay, macrophage scavenger receptor 1 (MSR1) was predicted and verified as the target gene of miR-579-3p. Transfection of miR-579-3p mimics significantly reduced the protein expression level of MSR1 in cells, eventually inhibiting the proliferation, invasion, and migration of SCLC cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The miR-579-3p/MSR1 axis might be a novel regulatory pathway of apoptosis, which could be used as potential therapeutic sites in SCLC.

Application of leaf size and leafing intensity scaling across subtropical trees

Understanding the scaling between leaf size and leafing intensity (leaf number per stem size) is crucial for comprehending theories about the leaf costs and benefits in the leaf size-twig size spectrum. However, the scaling scope of leaf size versus leafing intensity changes along the twig leaf size variation in different leaf habit species remains elusive. Here, we hypothesize that the numerical value of scaling exponent for leaf mass versus leafing intensity in twig is governed by the minimum leaf mass versus maximum leaf mass (M min versus M max) and constrained to be ≤-1.0. We tested this hypothesis by analyzing the twigs of 123 species datasets compiled in the subtropical mountain forest. The standardized major axis regression (SMA) analyses showed the M min scaled as the 1.19 power of M max and the -α (-1.19) were not statistically different from the exponents of M min versus leafing intensity in whole data. Across leaf habit groups, the M max scaled negatively and isometrically with respect to leafing intensity. The pooled data's scaling exponents ranged from -1.14 to -0.96 for M min and M max versus the leafing intensity based on stem volume (LIV). In the case of M min and M max versus the leafing intensity based on stem mass (LIM), the scaling exponents ranged from -1.24 to -1.04. Our hypothesis successfully predicts that the scaling relationship between leaf mass and leafing intensity is constrained to be ≤-1.0. More importantly, the lower limit to scaling of leaf mass and leafing intensity may be closely correlated with M min versus M max. Besides, constrained by the maximum leaf mass expansion, the broad scope range between leaf size and number may be insensitive to leaf habit groups in subtropical mountain forest.